U.S. patent number 8,988,231 [Application Number 13/973,871] was granted by the patent office on 2015-03-24 for wetness notification system.
This patent grant is currently assigned to I-Ding Medical Equipment Co., Ltd.. The grantee listed for this patent is Hung Chi Chen. Invention is credited to Hung Chi Chen.
United States Patent |
8,988,231 |
Chen |
March 24, 2015 |
Wetness notification system
Abstract
A wetness notification system includes a detection unit, a clip
unit and a receiver unit. The detection unit includes a sleeve
body, a moisture detector, a casing, a processor, a wireless
transmitter, and a battery. The processor configures the wireless
transmitter to transmit a moisture signal outputted by the moisture
detector when the moisture signal corresponds to a moist condition.
The clip unit clips the detection unit onto the clothing article.
The receiver unit includes a wireless receiver, a controller, and a
notification module. When the controller receives the moisture
signal via the wireless receiver, the controller drives the
notification module to output a wetness notification signal.
Inventors: |
Chen; Hung Chi (Kaohsiung,
TW) |
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Chen; Hung Chi |
Kaohsiung |
N/A |
TW |
|
|
Assignee: |
I-Ding Medical Equipment Co.,
Ltd. (Kaohsiung, TW)
|
Family
ID: |
49772698 |
Appl.
No.: |
13/973,871 |
Filed: |
August 22, 2013 |
Prior Publication Data
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|
|
|
Document
Identifier |
Publication Date |
|
US 20140266734 A1 |
Sep 18, 2014 |
|
Foreign Application Priority Data
|
|
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|
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Mar 15, 2013 [TW] |
|
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102204794 U |
|
Current U.S.
Class: |
340/573.5 |
Current CPC
Class: |
G08B
21/20 (20130101); A61F 13/42 (20130101) |
Current International
Class: |
G08B
23/00 (20060101) |
Field of
Search: |
;340/573.5 |
References Cited
[Referenced By]
U.S. Patent Documents
Foreign Patent Documents
Primary Examiner: Lim; Steven
Assistant Examiner: Alizada; Omeed
Attorney, Agent or Firm: Pro-TECHTOR International Services
Oglesby; Ian B.
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. A wetness notification system for detecting wetness in a
clothing article that is configured for absorbing urine, the
wetness notification system comprising: a detection unit including
a sleeve body, a moisture detector that is connected to an outer
side surface of the sleeve body and that outputs a moisture signal
corresponding to a surrounding moisture detected thereby, a casing,
a processor that is disposed in the casing and that is electrically
connected with the moisture detector, a wireless transmitter that
is disposed in the casing and that is electrically connected with
the processor, and a battery that is disposed in the casing and
that provides electric power to the moisture detector, the
processor and the wireless transmitter, wherein the processor
receives the moisture signal outputted by the moisture detector,
and configures the wireless transmitter to transmit the moisture
signal when the moisture signal corresponds to a moist condition of
the surrounding moisture detected by the moisture detector; a clip
unit including a first portion removably inserted into the sleeve
body, a curved second portion that extends from the first portion,
and a third portion that extends from the curved second portion,
the casing being removably disposed on the third portion of the
clip unit, the third portion cooperating with the first portion to
clip the detection unit onto the clothing article in a manner that
the sleeve body and the moisture detector are disposed at an inner
side of the clothing article and that the third portion is disposed
at an outer side of the clothing article; and a receiver unit
including a wireless receiver to communicate wirelessly with the
wireless transmitter, a controller electrically connected with the
wireless receiver, and a notification module electrically connected
with the controller; wherein when the controller receives the
moisture signal via the wireless receiver, the controller drives
the notification module to output a wetness notification
signal.
2. The wetness notification system as claimed in claim 1, wherein
the clip unit is a hollow frame made from a bent resilient
loop-shaped member, and the third portion has a width that is
smaller than that of the first portion.
3. The wetness notification system as claimed in claim 1, wherein
the detection unit further includes a transmission wire, one end of
the transmission wire being electrically connected with the
moisture detector, another end of the transmission wire including a
plug that is plugged into the casing 23 to electrically connect the
moisture detector with the processor.
4. The wetness notification system as claimed in claim 3, further
comprising a positioning member that is provided on the clip unit
and that positions the transmission wire on the clip unit.
5. The wetness notification system as claimed in claim 4, wherein
the positioning member includes a slit for receiving a section of
the transmission wire.
6. The wetness notification system as claimed in claim 1, wherein:
the detection unit further includes a residual power detector
disposed in the casing and electrically connected with the battery
and the processor, the residual power detector detecting a residual
power of the battery, the processor configuring the wireless
transmitter to transmit a low battery signal when the residual
power detected by the residual power detector corresponds to a low
residual power level; and when the controller receives the low
battery signal via the wireless receiver, the controller configures
the notification module to output a low battery notification
signal.
7. The wetness notification system as claimed in claim 6, wherein:
the controller is operable in one of a normal notification mode and
a looping notification mode; when the controller receives one of
the moisture signal and the low battery signal for a first time via
the wireless receiver, the controller executes the normal
notification mode to configure the notification module to output a
corresponding one of the wetness notification signal and the low
battery notification signal for a predetermined time period; and at
the end of the predetermined time period, when the controller
continues to receives said one of the moisture signal and the low
battery signal via the wireless receiver, the controller executes
the looping notification mode to configure the notification module
43 to output the corresponding one of the wetness notification
signal and the low battery notification signal intermittently.
8. The wetness notification system as claimed in claim 7, wherein:
the receiver unit further includes a timer electrically coupled
with the controller; and when the controller executes the normal
notification mode, the controller configures the timer to start
counting when the controller configures the notification module to
output one of the wetness notification signal and the low battery
notification signal, and the controller configures the notification
module to stop outputting said one of the wetness notification
signal and the low battery notification signal when the timer has
counted to a predetermined period value.
9. The wetness notification system as claimed in claim 7, wherein:
the receiver unit further includes a timer electrically coupled
with the controller and a switch 46 electrically coupled with the
controller; when the controller executes the normal notification
mode, the controller configures the timer to start counting, and
the switch is operable to control the controller to control in turn
the notification module to stop outputting one of the wetness
notification signal and the low battery notification signal, and
the controller executes the looped notification mode when the timer
has counted to a predetermined period value and the controller
continues to receives said one of the moisture signal and the low
battery signal via the wireless receiver.
10. The wetness notification system as claimed in claim 6, wherein:
the notification module includes at least one of a light emitting
component for emitting light and a speaker for outputting sound;
and each of the wetness notification signal and the low battery
notification signal is at least one of the light emitted by the
light emitting component and the sound outputted by the
speaker.
11. The wetness notification system as claimed in claim 6, wherein
the receiver unit further includes a power source electrically
coupled with the controller to provide electric power for the
receiver unit, and the controller configures the notification
module to output a low power notification signal when power of the
power source is insufficient.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION
This application claims priority of R.O.C. application no.
102204794, filed on Mar. 15, 2013.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a wetness notification system.
2. Description of the Related Art
R.O.C patent no. M403327 discloses a diaper having a wetness
sensing device. The diaper includes a first non-woven fabric layer,
two strip electrodes, a second non-woven fabric layer, a liquid
absorbing layer made from a liquid absorbing material, a
liquid-proof layer and two metallic sockets. A first side of the
first non-woven fabric layer absorbs a liquid excreted from a human
body, and the liquid permeates to a second side of the first
non-woven fabric layer. The strip electrodes are attached onto the
second side of the first non-woven fabric layer, and the strip
electrodes are electrically connected when they come into contact
with the liquid. A first side of the second non-woven fabric layer
is attached to the second side of the first non-woven fabric layer
and to the strip electrodes, and the strip electrodes are thus
retained between the first and second non-woven fabric layers. The
first side of the second non-woven fabric layer absorbs the liquid,
which permeates to a second side of the second non-woven fabric
layer. The liquid absorbing layer is attached to the second side of
the second non-woven fabric layer, and absorbs that liquid
permeated through the second non-woven fabric layer. The
liquid-proof layer is made from a liquid proof material. A first
side of the liquid-proof layer is attached to the second side of
the liquid absorbing layer, and retains the liquid that permeated
through the liquid absorbing layer to prevent the liquid from
leaking out of the diaper. Each of the metallic sockets has a first
engaging portion that engages with a respective one of two engaging
bodies of an electrical detection device. This enables the
electrical detection device to detect the electrical conduction
between the strip electrodes when a liquid is excreted, and to send
a wetness notification signal for notifying a guardian to change
diaper according to the wetness notification signal.
However, the electrical detection device requires a battery for
operation. Due to absence of a low battery notification mechanism
for notification when the battery is low in power, untimely
changing of the diaper may lead to skin allergy, rashes and other
skin diseases. Moreover, the strip electrodes are sewn into the
diaper, and sewing increases labor costs and may cause a rise in
defective products.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The object of the present invention is to provide a wetness
notification system for detecting wetness in a clothing article
that is configured for absorbing urine.
Accordingly, the wetness notification system of the present
invention includes a detection unit, a clip unit, and a receiver
unit.
The detection unit includes a sleeve body, a moisture detector that
is connected to an outer side surface of the sleeve body and that
outputs a moisture signal corresponding to a surrounding moisture
detected thereby, a casing, a processor that is disposed in the
casing and that is electrically connected with the moisture
detector, a wireless transmitter that is disposed in the casing and
that is electrically connected with the processor, and a battery
that is disposed in the casing and that provides electric power to
the moisture detector, the processor and the wireless transmitter.
The processor receives the moisture signal outputted by the
moisture detector, and configures the wireless transmitter to
transmit the moisture signal when the moisture signal, corresponds
to a moist condition of the surrounding moisture detected by the
moisture detector.
The clip unit includes a first portion removably inserted into the
sleeve body, a curved second portion that extends from the first
portion, and a third portion that extends from the curved second
portion. The casing is removably disposed on the third portion of
the clip unit. The third portion cooperates with the first portion
to clip the detection unit onto the clothing article in a manner
that the sleeve body and the moisture detector are disposed at an
inner side of the clothing article and that the third portion is
disposed at an outer side of the clothing article.
The receiver unit includes a wireless receiver to communicate
wirelessly with the wireless transmitter, a controller electrically
connected with the wireless receiver, and a notification module
electrically connected with the controller. When the controller
receives the moisture signal via the wireless receiver, the
controller drives the notification module to output a wetness
notification signal.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
Other features and advantages of the present invention will become
apparent in the following detailed description of the preferred
embodiments with reference to the accompanying drawings, of
which:
FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a first preferred embodiment of a
wetness notification system of the present invention;
FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view illustrating a detection
unit and a clip unit of the first preferred embodiment;
FIG. 3 is a schematic block diagram of the first preferred
embodiment;
FIG. 4 is a schematic view illustrating the first preferred
embodiment when in a state of use; and
FIG. 5 is a schematic block diagram illustrating a second preferred
embodiment of the present invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
Referring to FIGS. 1, 2 and 3, the first preferred embodiment of a
wetness notification system of the present invention includes a
detection unit 2, a clip unit 3 and a receiver unit 4. The
detection unit 2 includes a sleeve body 21, a moisture detector 22
that is connected to an outer side surface of the sleeve body 21, a
casing 23, a processor 24 that is disposed in the casing 23 and
that is electrically connected with the moisture detector 22, a
wireless transmitter 25 that is disposed in the casing 23 and that
is electrically connected with the processor 24, and a battery 26
that is disposed in the casing 23 and that provides electric power
to the moisture detector 22, the processor 24 and the wireless
transmitter 25. The detection unit 2 further includes a residual
power detector 27 that is disposed in the casing 23 and that is
electrically connected with the battery 26 and the processor 24,
and a transmission wire 28. The casing 23 includes a connector 231.
The battery 26 is electrically connected with the moisture detector
22, the wireless transmitter 25 and the residual power detector 27.
One end of the transmission wire 28 connects electrically with the
moisture detector 22, and the other end of the transmission wire 28
includes a plug 281 that plugs into the connector 231 of the casing
23 to electrically connect the moisture detector 22 with the
processor 24.
The clip unit 3 is a hollow frame made from a bent resilient
loop-shaped member, and has a first portion 31 removably inserted
into the sleeve body 21, a curved second portion 32 that extends
from the first portion 31, and a third portion 33 that extends from
the curved second portion 32. that the third portion 33 has the
casing 23 removably disposed thereon, and cooperates with the first
portion 31 to clip the detection unit 2 onto the clothing article.
The width of the third portion 33 is smaller than the width of the
first portion 31.
The receiver unit 4 includes a wireless receiver 41 to communicate
wirelessly with the wireless transmitter 25, a controller 42
electrically connected with the wireless receiver 41, a
notification module 43 electrically connected with the controller
42, a timer 44 electrically coupled with the controller 42 and
storing a predetermined period value, and a power source 45
electrically coupled with the controller 42 to provide electric
power to the receiver unit 4. The controller 42 has a normal
notification mode and a looping notification mode, which will be
described in greater detail in the following paragraphs. The
notification module 43 includes a light emitting component 431 for
emitting light and a speaker 432 for outputting sound. The timer 44
can be integrated into the controller 42 such that the controller
42 is capable of counting in other embodiments of this invention.
The frequency used between the wireless transmitter 25 and the
wireless receiver 41 can be preset in the factory. The frequency
can also be calibrated by the user using a tuner (not shown in the
Figures) in other embodiments of this invention.
Preferably, the wetness notification system further includes a
positioning member 5 that is provided on the clip unit 3 and that
positions the transmission wire 28 on the clip unit 3. The
positioning member 5 includes a slit 51 for receiving a section of
the transmission wire 28.
Referring to FIGS. 1, 2 and 4, the wetness notification system can
be applied on a clothing article such as a diaper or a pant,
wearable by a person. In use, the first portion 31 is removably
inserted into the sleeve body 21, the casing 23 is removably
disposed on the third portion 33 of the clip unit 3, the
transmission wire 28 is positioned by the slit 51 of the
positioning member 5, and the plug 281 is plugged into the
connector 231 of the casing 23. The sleeve body 21 and the moisture
detector 22 are disposed at an inner side of the clothing article
6, preferably adjacent to the groin of the human body, and the
third portion 33 is disposed at an outer side of the clothing
article 6. The clip unit 3 is a hollow frame that has a light
weight which reduces the load on the user. The curved second
portion 32 has a curved design that can enhance user comfort in
spite of the detection unit 2. The receiver unit 4 can be carried
around by a guardian or be placed at a specific location that can
be seen by the guardian.
Referring to FIG. 3, the moisture detector 22 outputs a moisture
signal corresponding to a surrounding moisture detected thereby,
that is, the moisture around the groin area when the detection unit
2 is clipped onto the clothing article 6. The processor 24 receives
the moisture signal outputted by the moisture detector 22, and
configures the wireless transmitter 25 to transmit the moisture
signal when the moisture signal corresponds to a moist condition of
the surrounding moisture detected by the moisture detector 22, that
is, when urine is excreted by the user of the clothing article 6.
The controller 42 receives the moisture signal through the wireless
receiver 41 of the receiver unit 4. When the controller 42 receives
the moisture signal for a first time via the wireless receiver 41,
the controller 42 executes the normal notification mode to
configure the notification module 43 to output a wetness
notification signal, and at the same time configures the timer 44
to start counting. The controller 42 configures the notification
module 43 to stop outputting the wetness notification signal when
the timer 44 has counted to the predetermined period value. The
wetness notification signal is at least one of the light emitted by
the light emitting component 431 and the sound outputted by the
speaker 432, thereby alerting the guardian to attend to changing of
the clothing article 6.
After the notification module 43 stops outputting the wetness
notification signal when the timer 44 has counted to the
predetermined period value, if the controller 42 continues to
receive the moisture signal via the wireless receiver 41, the
controller 42 executes the looping notification mode to configure
the notification module 43 to output the wetness notification
signal intermittently until the controller 42 no longer receives
the moisture signal. The looping notification mode helps to remind
the guardians to attend to the clothing article 6 to prevent rashes
and other skin diseases on a wearer.
The residual power detector 27 detects the residual power of the
battery 26. When the residual power detected by the residual power
detector 27 corresponds to a low residual power level, the
processor 24 configures the wireless transmitter 25 to transmit a
low battery signal. When the controller 42 receives the low battery
signal for a first time via the wireless receiver 41, the
controller 42 executes the normal notification mode to configure
the notification module 43 to output the low battery notification
signal, and at the same time configures the timer 44 to start
counting.
The controller 42 configures the notification module 43 to stop
outputting the low battery notification signal when the timer 44
has counted to the predetermined period value. The low battery
notification signal is at least one of the light emitted by the
light emitting component 431 and the sound outputted by the speaker
432. Similarly, after the notification module 43 stops outputting
the low battery notification signal when the timer 44 has counted
to the predetermined period value, if the controller 42 continues
to receive the low battery signal via the wireless receiver 41
(such as when the battery 26 is yet to be replaced), the controller
42 executes the looping notification mode to configure the
notification module 43 to output the low battery notification
signal intermittently until the controller 42 no longer receives
the low battery signal. In the same manner, when the power in the
power source 45 is low, the controller 42 configures the
notification module 43 to output the low power notification signal
until the power in the power source 45 is no longer low. The low
battery notification signal and the lower power notification signal
prevent a situation where the guardian fails to attend to the
clothing article 6 due to insufficient power in the battery 26 or
the power source 45.
In this embodiment, the moisture detector 22 and the first portion
31 of the clip unit 3 are removable from the sleeve body 21. The
casing 23 that contains the processor 24, the wireless transmitter
25, the battery 26 and the residual power detector 27 is removable
from the clip unit 3. The transmission wire 28 is also removable
from the casing 23. Such removable design provides convenience in
washing, repair and replacement of individual units in the wetness
notification system.
Referring to FIG. 5, the second preferred embodiment of the present
invention differs from the first preferred embodiment, in that the
second preferred embodiment further includes a switch 46
electrically coupled with the controller 42. When the controller 42
executes the normal notification mode to configure the notification
module 43 to output one of the wetness notification signal and the
low battery notification signal, the controller 42 configures the
timer 44 to start counting, and the switch 46 may be operated by
the guardian to control the controller 42 to control in turn the
notification module 43 to stop outputting one of the wetness
notification signal and the low battery notification signal. When
the timer 44 has counted to the predetermined period value and the
controller 42 continues to receives the one of the moisture signal
and the low battery signal via the wireless receiver 41, the
controller 42 executes the looped notification mode to configure
the notification module 43 to output the corresponding one of the
wetness notification signal and the low battery notification signal
intermittently.
The wetness notification system of the present invention has a
simple and detachable structure that lowers manufacturing costs.
The clip unit 3 can be removably clipped to different suitable
locations of the clothing article 6 for wetness detection, and
therefore the detection unit 2, the clip unit 3 and the positioning
member 5 of the wetness notification system can be reused again
after they have been removed. In addition to wetness detection by
the moisture detector 22 and the processor 24, the residual power
detector 27 detects the residual power of the battery 26, and the
notification module 43 outputs a notification signal (such as light
and/or sound) for more than once when wetness or low residual power
is detected, such that the guardian can attend to the clothing
article 6 or replace the battery 26. Also, when insufficient power
in the power source 45 is detected, the controller 42 drives the
notification module 43 to output a low power notification signal.
In such manner, the guardian can attend to the clothing article 6
to prevent rashes and other skin diseases on a wearer and be
notified to replenish the power in the wetness notification system.
Moreover, the wetness notification system includes the moisture
detector 22 and the first portion 31 of the clip unit 3 that are
removable from the sleeve body 21, the casing 23 that is removable
from the clip unit 3, and the transmission wire 28 that is
removable from the casing 23, and such removal design provides
convenience in washing, repair and replacement of individual units
in the wetness notification system.
While the present invention has been described in connection with
what are considered the most practical and preferred embodiments,
it is understood that this invention is not limited to the
disclosed embodiments but is intended to cover various arrangements
included within the spirit and scope of the broadest interpretation
so as to encompass all such modifications and equivalent
arrangements.
* * * * *